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Bill to plan psychiatric residential treatment expansion passes committee and is re‑referred
Summary
Senate File 1479 would reallocate $100,000 from a prior PRTF appropriation to planning for a psychiatric residential treatment facility build‑out and requires a report by March 1, 2026; committee passed the bill and re‑referred it to Health and Human Services.
The Senate Human Services Committee voted on March 5 to pass Senate File 1479 and re‑refer it to the Health and Human Services committee. The bill would reallocate $100,000 from a previous $1 million appropriation for psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) grants toward planning and build‑out analysis.
Senator Maquade (Mayquade) told the committee the measure requires the executive board to submit a report by March 1, 2026 that details proposed locations, risks and benefits, and estimated costs for build‑out and maintenance. The sponsor said the proposal is intended to address the shortage of PRTF capacity in Minnesota that has forced placements out of state and to allow the Department of Human Services to plan whether to expand existing footprints or construct new facilities.
Wade Brost of Direct Care and Treatment, an executive director at DCT, said the agency does not currently operate any psychiatric residential treatment facilities but could examine existing footprints and compliance constraints as part of the planning review. Committee members discussed potential geographic needs, including interest in Clay County and other regions, and the time required to bring new capacity online.
Motion and disposition: The committee recorded a voice vote in favor of passing the bill and re‑referring it to Health and Human Services. The sponsor moved passage and re‑referral; senators voted in the affirmative on the motion and the bill was advanced to the next committee for further consideration.
